Try being for something

Published: Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 11:43 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 11:43 p.m.

“Everywhere I go I hear that there is a lack of leadership in our community.”

Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn told me that a couple weeks ago, and I wrote about it then. That those words came from the mayor is, well, wow!

A couple days ago, I ran into Gerald Ergle. He served as mayor a decade ago after 28 years on the Ocala City Council. As a civic leader, Ergle was, well, is a bona fide. He said he had seen Guinn's comment and lamented that he agreed.

Alas, there is a lack of leadership in our community. So says the mayor, and a former mayor. I think they're right.

That's not say there is no leadership. We see flashes of it. Certainly County Commissioner Stan McClain exhibited leadership when he alone called for turning Silver Springs into a public park. Alone. Now, everyone is rushing to stand with him.

Leadership. City Manager Matt Brower showed leadership in convincing the City Council it should reinvent downtown Ocala — a process that is just beginning — into a high-tech hub, with linear parks and entertainment pockets that can be grown into a recreational destination. Guinn showed leadership in starting discussions with the New York Yankees about bringing one of their farm teams here. It's far from a done deal, and Guinn and other supporters have a hard sales job if a stadium has to be built. But the mayor saw the possibilities the Yankees brand could bring to Ocala and forged ahead.

I am reminded of Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart's famous line when hearing a case about pornography. He said he was unsure how to define porn, then famously added, “But I know it when I see it.”

Same thing with leadership. It comes in many shapes and forms, and often goes unnoticed. It can be exhibited with a few words or exerted through months of labor and lobbying. But, rest assured, you know it when you see it, and we don't see enough hereabouts.

City elections are just around the corner and countywide elections — County Commission and School Board — are a year away. We need some vibrant leadership that is interested in moving Ocala/Marion County forward, that is tired of settling for mediocrity economically, environmentally, educationally. We need people with vision who are unafraid to pursue a good idea in the face of skepticism — driven only to make this a better place to live and raise our families.

We need leadership that is seeking public office for more than a paycheck, and there too many who do it for just that.

I'm not sure how your spur an outbreak of leadership, but allow me to offer those in a position to lead or who are seeking one this small suggestion: Be for something. Be for something, anything, that will make our community a better place to live.

Push your cause with passion. Don't be afraid to speak up or stand alone. “I'm for lower taxes and less government” isn't leadership. It's following the pack. And look where that has gotten us.

It's time to demand better. It's time our leaders be leaders and be for something — besides themselves.

<p>“Everywhere I go I hear that there is a lack of leadership in our community.”</p><p>Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn told me that a couple weeks ago, and I wrote about it then. That those words came from the mayor is, well, wow!</p><p>A couple days ago, I ran into Gerald Ergle. He served as mayor a decade ago after 28 years on the Ocala City Council. As a civic leader, Ergle was, well, is a bona fide. He said he had seen Guinn's comment and lamented that he agreed.</p><p>Alas, there is a lack of leadership in our community. So says the mayor, and a former mayor. I think they're right.</p><p>That's not say there is no leadership. We see flashes of it. Certainly County Commissioner Stan McClain exhibited leadership when he alone called for turning Silver Springs into a public park. Alone. Now, everyone is rushing to stand with him.</p><p>Leadership. City Manager Matt Brower showed leadership in convincing the City Council it should reinvent downtown Ocala — a process that is just beginning — into a high-tech hub, with linear parks and entertainment pockets that can be grown into a recreational destination. Guinn showed leadership in starting discussions with the New York Yankees about bringing one of their farm teams here. It's far from a done deal, and Guinn and other supporters have a hard sales job if a stadium has to be built. But the mayor saw the possibilities the Yankees brand could bring to Ocala and forged ahead.</p><p>I am reminded of Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart's famous line when hearing a case about pornography. He said he was unsure how to define porn, then famously added, “But I know it when I see it.”</p><p>Same thing with leadership. It comes in many shapes and forms, and often goes unnoticed. It can be exhibited with a few words or exerted through months of labor and lobbying. But, rest assured, you know it when you see it, and we don't see enough hereabouts.</p><p>City elections are just around the corner and countywide elections — County Commission and School Board — are a year away. We need some vibrant leadership that is interested in moving Ocala/Marion County forward, that is tired of settling for mediocrity economically, environmentally, educationally. We need people with vision who are unafraid to pursue a good idea in the face of skepticism — driven only to make this a better place to live and raise our families.</p><p>We need leadership that is seeking public office for more than a paycheck, and there too many who do it for just that.</p><p>I'm not sure how your spur an outbreak of leadership, but allow me to offer those in a position to lead or who are seeking one this small suggestion: Be for something. Be for something, anything, that will make our community a better place to live.</p><p>Push your cause with passion. Don't be afraid to speak up or stand alone. “I'm for lower taxes and less government” isn't leadership. It's following the pack. And look where that has gotten us.</p><p>It's time to demand better. It's time our leaders be leaders and be for something — besides themselves.</p>